TJAPUKAI BY NIGHT WITH CHRIS AND A FEW FRIENDS

A few weeks ago, a bunch of friends and myself decided to visit Tjapukai by Night. Despite living in Cairns for 10 years, I have never visited before!!!

By arrival, we were greeted by two Tjapukai dancers and a photo of us was taken without me even noticing...We walked into one of the halls and the show began before we knew it.....

An Aboriginal Elder explained to us about the Dreamtime, Thunder and Lightning and the Spirit World.

Then we were guided outside and handed tapsticks and asked to join the Tjapukai lakeside where we were to become part of an ancient corroboree ritual.

Everyone was participating and we all had a good laugh, as the dancers clearly enjoyed showing off...

On of the Tjapukai members hurls a fire spear across the lake, where it contacts with the ancient tribal lands to become a fireball... and, wow ... what a sight! A canoe appears out of nowhere, in it a Tjapukai carrying the flaming torches. The dancers guide the canoe and the people to its shore. We are asked to follow their light, which creates a pathway from the darkness of the lake to the restaurant.

The Buffet Dinner was absolutely sensational... especially the variety of desserts....Wine and beer is included as well.

While eating, the Tjapukai come on stage to perform again. This, - and this is the only critisism I have - I felt was a pity, because I wanted to enjoy dinner and enjoy the performance. Plus, people kept standing up to help themselves to more, which did interrupt the show.... (like someone standing up at the movies or at the theatre...)

But the dancing performance was superb, their wit and humour made me laugh so much. At the end, everyone finished their dinner and the dancers get the audience involved in a competition in making fire by rubbing sticks....

All in all, a very enjoyable way to spend a few hours at night. The show starts at 07.30pm, seven days a week and finishes at about 09.30pm - just in time for a cocktail or a drink at the bar, when you get back to Cairns... Tjapukai organises transfers from accommodation to their show and back.

All this for $87.00 per adult and $43.50 per child or if you need a transfer it will cost you $104.00 per adult and $52.00 per child.

There were a lot of children at the show and they all had a ball, so feel free to take your children, they will be fascinated by the lights and the music...

I can definitely recommend it to anyone... it is a good insight, without being to serious about it. Please contact me for more information chris@fnqapartments.com or call +61 7 4053 3344 (1300 731 620 within Australia) www.fnqapartments.com